I think it is pretty horrible that this man has had such a hard time in being able to register. I think the point of requiring someone to need an ID to vote isn't a bad idea at all, but the hoops he has had to jump through seem incredibly tough and unnecessary. Yet, it was somewhat his fault and not at all the process that most people would have to go through with this law. $23 is not a lot of money, and I understand the argument that this man is poor, but maybe he should just skip a couple Popeye Tuesday's if voting means that much to him. We all have to sacrifice things every once in a while, and this man is making it harder on himself. To top it all off, he has been living under the wrong name for his whole life, i don't believe most people will have that problem when trying to get ID to vote.
Although I agree that sometimes you have to sacrifice certain things for others. I still think the voter laws are terrible. Frame it however you want, I do not think it is a coincidence that it will affect mostly minorities and poor people. This law has successfully discouraged certain groups of people from voting. It is too early to tell to what extent it will prevent people from voting but I would definitely NOT make the assumption that most people will not have a problem trying to get an ID to vote.
Coming from immigrant parents, it is most definitely likely that in the process of filling out millions of forms for citizenship, leases, car notes, etc., you can have documentations with misspelling, or different names on different forms, etc. It is the case with my mother and I can't blame her for not understanding everything with little English knowledge. So most people can definitely have that problem especially when dealing with minority families. $23 could be a million dollars to some people. To say that it's not a lot is not fair to people who literally need $20 to help them survive. To say he can skip a couple of Popeye days is a little insensitive especially considering that he clearly said he splurges on Popeyes. it's not a regular thing. He does this when he can. Buy food. A daily thing for some of us a but a grand luxury for others. The point of this article wasn't to draw pity to Mr.Kennie's story. It was to bring to light that as minor as this process may seem, it has a big effect on people's lives and there are MANY others like Mr.Kennie who will not able to vote this year because of such sudden and inconsiderate regulation.
Michael Marinelli The voting control should be illegal and it's really anti-democratic at the height of it all. I will be the first to admit I haven't since 2010 and this makes me wonder if I am actually doing the right thing.
When I read this article, I got really upset. It is one of the patriotic duties that we have as American citizens to get the right to vote, and these people do not want to see it happen. I think it's really unfair because like what has been said in the past, most of these people who this new law effects are poor and are more likely to vote on the democratic side. By the republican government enforcing this law, they are essentially insuring that that democratic party in the election gets more votes. This is more than unfair - it's unjust and should be illegal.
I feeel as though as a black person in America I have to constantly battle the right of being a citizen. I agree with this article that Republicans and many other political figures need to put themselves in a minority shoes. The article main goal for me seems to be push for a better voter turnout during midterm elections.
It is definitely no coincidence that these new, more stringent voter ID laws would negatively affect the working poor, minorities, and the poor. Historically, these groups of people have voted against the agenda of those who support unfair voter laws. As Americans, we love to yell about our freedom of speech, our right to bear arms but tend to remain silent about something as important as a large segment of the population not being able to vote, most likely because they would affect people that we tend to care a little less about. Not since the 1960s have voter ID laws been deemed necessary, which leads me to believe that the catalyst for these laws is the election of the first Black president (twice).
This article is a prime example of the detrimental effects of voter suppression laws. Over the past few years Conservative law makers have placed a greater emphasis on these laws since they think that minority voters elected President Obama twice. In reality, white voters were still largest demographic that elected him given that the US has become more democratic. While the article states that the new voter ID laws will effect African American Americans and Hispanics, its important to note that other low income individuals will be affected as well. Reading Eric Kennie's story was absolutely heartbreaking, at the same time there should be more articles and awareness about how White, Asian, and Native American voters are impacted by these laws across the country. That way there is equal representation and Conservative law makers may one day see how these laws are impacting the US population not just African Americans and Hispanics. These laws are constantly suppressing low income individuals.
While reading this article, I felt bad for Eric Kennie. I am from Texas myself, my family moved there from the Philippines, and I am familiar with the patriotism instilled within the state. However, I do not believe that requiring a form of identification, while voting, is bad. They are allowing six different forms of identification (US passport, US military ID, driver’s license, license to carry concealed handgun, and a new form of identification specially created for voting under SB14.) In Texas, illegal immigrants are a huge problem and nowadays, the majority of US citizens have at least one form of identification. You must show identification while doing almost any every day thing including using a credit card, registering for classes, starting a new job, traveling, buying alcohol and tobacco products, renting or buying real estate, ect. so for something as important as voting, I do not see a problem with requiring identification and that is coming from a first generation, Texan, whose family is impacted by this law.
I think that its absolutely disgusting in how these people's rights are being taken away. As Americans it is our constitutive right to vote as we so please. In Maryland I have had to show my photo ID when I go voting; however this being a new law in Texas, I don't think it should applied especially if it hadn't been applied before. If you already have a voter registration card and no photo ID then I see no valid reason for you to get one now. Its clear that this law is directed at suppressing the voting rights of marginalized people of color, the poor and the elderly. There has to be a better way than just stripping these peoples' rights just because they don't have a photo ID.
I completely agree with you here. Their tactics are purely, if not mostly targeting those who are defenseless. If you can't afford to go along with this process, you can't vote--and they have made it clear who's votes they actually want. This is disgusting, especially when we think about it further. These people are running for some form of political power, "to help the people". Isn't ironic that they're screwing them over before they even win their grand position?
It is extremely disappointing to see what happened to approximately 600,000 people in the state of Texas. The fact that the US Supreme Court prepared a "one-line judgment" that allowed for this law to be applied for this year's election is inappropriate. Knowing that a large portion of the voters are minorities with insufficient resources to meet the needs to vote, applying such law prevents them from being able to vote, which violates their constitutional right to vote. This is another example of suppression and taking the rights from the lower class. Furthermore, this partakes in their inability to move up the social ladder.
This literally makes my stomach hurt. That people are totally fine with creating laws that restrict their own people of a basic right. In my perspective, this new legislature was created to simply restrict those in a poor position from voting. In order to vote you must jump through all of these hoops; not everyone is able to jump through those hoops because they aren't as privileged. Why was this necessary all of a sudden? Because someone with power decided that they needed to sway the vote by shaping the voting demographics for themselves. It blows my mind that this is actually a thing; voting is a constiutional right, it isn't that difficult to do so physically, so why all of the restrictions? I'm confused and fed up. Eric Kennie's vote matters just as much as anyone elses, but due to circumstances beyond his control, he doesn't have a say.
With the upcoming elections, this article was especially fascinating because it helped me understand the injustices that some people face due to the electoral system. I registered to vote two days after I turned eighteen, although I was unable to vote in the 2012 presidential elections, making this election the first that I will be able to be a part of. And I am ecstatic to show my love of the nation through this small act. Eric Kennie is just as much of an American that I am and wants to show his patriotism by voting and yet he is unable to do so. Due to my parents’ hard work and success in the professional world, I have been awarded privileges that have been denied to many such as access to a car, meaning I need a driver’s license. Kennie works just as hard as many other Americans that will be voting on November 4th but since the SB14 came into effect he is unable to show the documents needed to cast a vote. This seems unfair considering he has lived in Texas his whole life and when interviewed claims to only want to make an America that is better for upcoming generations. As a student, I have only been able to read and learn a small amount of the candidates running for office in Maryland. Although I have attained a high school diploma and am working towards a college degree, Kennie is the one who is set on creating a better world and changing the one we already have.
I found this article to be very interesting because many people do not realize the amount of people that cannot produce a valid photo ID at voting polls. The fact that these voter ID laws will stop almost 600,000 residents from voting is a statistic that is hard to ignore. If you dig deeper you see that the majority of this number are lower income minorities and it calls into question the motives behind SB14. Generally this demographic votes democrat and this law was issued by a conservative supreme court. To diminish voting rights for the purpose of political gain is illegal and I find these laws to be unconstitutional. I found the end of the article to be humorous when the author commented on the irony of Kennie's situation; that he would actually have to "impersonate" his name on his birth certificate in order to vote when these laws are supposedly for diminishing voter fraud.
This article actually made me very, very sad. It is extremely disturbing to think that the United States is denying people their right to vote. The fact that a simple man from Texas who is clearly and American by any means, is being denied his constitutional right to vote is horrifying. Eric Kennie is a man who, clearly, holds his rights very dearly and wants to be able to express his opinion on election day. He even went to extreme lengths to try to get some type of identification simply to be able to vote. His expedition to find an ID cost him more money than one day of work. Also, Kennie doesnt just want to vote for himself, he says that he wants to be ableto vote for the following generation. He wants to make the world a better place for, not just him, but, every generation to come. The question that the people making laws like SB14 should be asking is, what good is coming out of not allowing people like Eric Kennie to vote?
As a minority myself, I value the privilege I have to vote. I feel as though voting is one of the most significant rights that we have in order to have our voice heard in a nation who's elite weighs most of the power. The United States deems itself as a nation that is for the people and by the people when really that means for the elite and by the elite. It's so sad to see that minorities an low income citizens are being suppressed from voting this law. This is just one of the many way this nation is upholding the rights and interests of the elite over those of the lower class minorities and low income citizens. Eric Kennie's story really appealed to me because just like him, my parents once struggled with income. They really relied on voting and their rights as citizens to be where they are today. It makes me sad to think that Eric Kennie may never achieve his goals with the constant suppression that the government places upon him and many other minorities. Seem as though this nation is incorporating De Facto discrimination very subliminally and it is quite disgusting.
Unfortunately, I was not surprised by this article because it is the disheartening true about the voting process in America. Minority groups are the people who are most effected by these types of laws and it is no coincidence. Someones ability to afford certain updates to their identification cards is not important to voting. Is a passport not enough? No america should be excluded from something that is built into the backbone of our country. Minorities and poor americans are people too and deserve the basic right of vote. Kendall Heatley
I think that it is outrageous that this type of law was allowed to be passed in the state of Texas, however it did not surprise me. Since before civil rights, state governments have done everything in their power to disenfranchise certain people from voting. As much as I would like to believe that our society is progressing, it is still stuck on the race, and poverty issue. I hope that we make a shift towards equality, but until then, laws should be made to help not harm U.S. citizens.
Texas is but one example of many states that are denying their citizens the right to vote. Over the past few elections, the percentage of people who committed voter fraud relative to the percentage of people who voted correctly is staggering. It is ridiculous to say that the number of voting fraud issues is significant. Unfortunately, these states engage in this ridiculous behavior in order to suppress low income and minority voters. They do so for political gains. In Pennsylvania, a high ranking Republican figure talked gleefully about using similar laws to have Mitt Romney win the state. Again, political repression happens at one end of the spectrum and not the other. Rarely do rich citizens get turned away at the voting booth. Indeed, the final rejection of the low income voter is the end of an extended problem of the group not being able to participate in the public debate as much as others.
I think that voting laws are disgusting an a modern day version of literacy tests. The claim that there is a need for precautions to "protect" voting is ridiculous. There is no proof that there is a sufficient amount of voter fraud that would make it necessary. For example, in the 2012 election, there were lesson than 700 accusations of voter fraud. I think its pretty obvious to most, even if the proponents of the voter id law wont admit it, the point is to prevent minorities and low income voters from being able to vote. I am honestly so bothered by this, and the story of Eric Kennie only made me more enraged. The only thing I hate more than discrimination is when people pretend they aren't discriminating. - Ana Kyriakos
I believe that this new voting law in Texas is completely ridiculous. There is almost no reason to implement this law where there was no problem to begin with. The article states that only two people in Texas were convicted of voter fraud in recent history out of the millions in the state that go to vote. This is a very low percentage and to me, seems that the problem is so small, that it is too negligible to make a law to "fix". Instead of this law protecting from voter fraud, it hinders many from voting at all. Whether intentional or not, this law discriminates against low income families and citizens because they cannot afford to obtain a from of identification. These low income families are mostly demographics of African Americans and Hispanics. This is another problem because these two demographics tend to vote Democrat, which strengthens the Republican influence in the conservative state of Texas even more.
Voter ID laws can be a touchy subject to begin with. I think if you have voter ID laws to make sure only citizens of the United States our allowed to vote, then it should not cost them any money for a sate ID in that state. If you do not make it easy to obtain an ID without money it looks like that state is trying to control who can vote or not. What seems affordable for an ID for us may not be so affordable for others. It is like having an ID cost 25 thousand dollars that would only allow a few citizens to vote. The higher courts will most likely up hold this law because those who support it will use the constitution, which says only citizens can vote . To make the law more equal they need to lower the cost of IDs in Texas as low as a dollar, otherwise they will be creating inequality in voting which I do not agree with at all. Every citizen has the right to vote. -Joshua Zidek
I honestly believe that this law is ridiculous and uncalled for. It is very sad to see that African Americans and Hispanics and other minorities are being heavily affected by this and I would not be surprised if this was done on purpose to affect minorities. The ability to vote is something that every American has the right to practice and now Texas is trying to take away this freedom to vote.
Reading this article filled me with disgust for my country. I cannot believe this law has been passed and was able to passed. It is disgusting that this type of bigotry and institutionalized racism is still allowed to exist, and no one is doing anything about this. It is also saddens me that this article was written on such a small site such as The Guardian, as opposed to Time Magazine or The Washington Post. The level of ignorance of the people is willful and at the same time involuntary. If the Washington Post can write a column everyday on horoscopes, I think they should be able to speak about the inequality that is affecting REAL PEOPLE with REAL ISSUES everyday. The right to vote is a RIGHT not a privilege, and the fact that this right is being rescinded from people based on their race is just a means for the white middle and upper class to keep their status quo. It is very, very sad to see.
This article was actually sickening to read and to consider, given the fact that this country was supposedly built on the ideals that the people should have a voice in who is appointed to lead them, aka having a chance and the inherent right to vote. The fact that lawmakers in this country can even come up with such a prohibitive law, knowing full well it would negatively impact the lowest-income residents, the poorest members of society, all to achieve their own narrow-minded political agenda, goes to show their levels of inherent corruptness and disregard for the true political ideals of America. Furthermore, there was no sufficient problem in the state to warrant any response, let alone one at such a restrictive level that alienates 600,000 people from their part in the executive/legislative process.
I can understand the need for photo ID for voting. What I don't understand is how hard it can be for people to obtain any sort of identification. I can't imagine myself in a position where I couldn't afford 23 dollars to get the identification I need to vote, but clearly there are people in that very position. Ignoring the several frustrating excuses in the article ("What would someone who has never even crossed the city boundary of Austin do with a passport?" ...Umm how about vote?) I think an interesting issue to look at is how we could offer cheap (or free?) forms of government issued photo ID to anyone.
This article was hard to read. It is hard to believe that the Republican is able to get away with these law that are blatantly discriminatory. With the demographics of our country rapidly changing, the minority populations are becoming the majority. Generally, minorities do not vote Republican so to combat the increasing population the Republican have to prevent these people from voting. This law takes the ability to vote away from such a large percentage of the population and it is a specific percentage that consists of minorities and those with low incomes (Democratic voters). The most disappointing point of the article for me was the fact that the Supreme Court allowed SB14 to take effect. The Supreme Court has arguably the most important role in American politics and it seems they dropped the ball on this particular issue. This will make it nearly impossible to overturn these laws in the future.
This article was hard to read. It is hard to believe that the Republican is able to get away with these law that are blatantly discriminatory. With the demographics of our country rapidly changing, the minority populations are becoming the majority. Generally, minorities do not vote Republican so to combat the increasing population the Republican have to prevent these people from voting. This law takes the ability to vote away from such a large percentage of the population and it is a specific percentage that consists of minorities and those with low incomes (Democratic voters). The most disappointing point of the article for me was the fact that the Supreme Court allowed SB14 to take effect. The Supreme Court has arguably the most important role in American politics and it seems they dropped the ball on this particular issue. This will make it nearly impossible to overturn these laws in the future.
I can't believe that our government would allow a state to suppress their citizens right to vote; throwing barrier after barrier in front of them to willfully deter them from voting and having their voices heard. This is appalling to say the least. The article makes it even more clear why more people disapprove of the Supreme Court. "But last week, in the early hours of 18 October, when most Texans were sleeping, the US supreme court snuck out a one-line judgment that allowed the voter ID restrictions to be applied this election cycle. Without any explanation...." This is a tactic to decrease the number of non- Republican voters at the polls and I can't believe that it actually worked (for now). It is unfortunate that people like Eric Kennie had to spend so much time and money ( especially because of their low socioeconomic status) in order to get what they were told they needed, only to be turned down. It all just adds insult to injury.
I hope that once people actually meet the requirements to vote in the next election, that there will not be another barrier put in front of them. And hopefully people will have Eric Kennie's dedication and determination to vote and make a difference. “I do need to vote, I really do,” he said. “It’s too late for me, but this is for the next generation. They need us to get out the people who harm us and bring in folk who will make things a little better. So I’m going to keep on. I’m going to stay focused, roll with the punches and do what I got to do.”
I find this law very atrocious. While I don't believe that this law was directly made to discriminate against minorities (I cannot believe that in 2014 a law like that could pass), it does end up effecting them. Any law that restricts the democratic process (the right to vote of all citizens) should be struck down as unconstitutional by the supreme court. I was shocked to read that this law passed. Anything that takes away anyones basic right to vote should not be allowed to pass.
The article points out a lot of interest points and concerns of people. I personally feel that it isn’t right that these people’s rights are taken away. People come to America hoping to live the American Dream, after all isn’t voting a part of that? I feel that there is no point in creating and passing laws and in reality overlaps other laws. Why create laws that restrict rights of people of their own such as poor’s? it doesn’t make sense to me that just because someone in charge with the power to make changes to the voting demographics in ways that will benefit themselves. Not everyone has the same privilege or opportunity to go through the challenges just to vote. However, it is no surprise to me for something like this because the people most affect by laws like these happens to be minority groups.
I can't believe this law passed. It is absurd in 2014 we have actually passed a law that make it harder for U.S. citizens to vote. Voting is one of the most cherished things in America and the fact that anyone thought this was a good idea is beyond me. "It was justified by Governor Rick Perry and the Republican chiefs in the state legislature as a means of combating electoral fraud" No, I believe this law was to stop the poor from voting. The reason for this is the fact that an overwhelming majority of the poor are liberals and Texas is republican run.
A lifelong citizen of Texas cannot vote because he does not have photo ID. Eric Kennie has lived his entire life in the State of Texas, in fact he lived his whole life in the city of Austin. He makes it a point to vote in every election because he wants to be a part of the democratic process that the United States prides itself on. However, he is prevented from doing so because of a new law that forces one to have photo ID to prove that they are not an impersonator. In a state where there have been 20 million votes cast, yet only two instances of voter fraud. This is clearly a measure to prevent the lower-class people, specifically Blacks and Latinos, from voting. It is a measure to ensure that the people on top get more of a say in deciding who represents them in government.
Mathew, I agree with you and disagree what is going on with Texas voting rights unless some stipulations are added. If a state requires all citizens to have an id to vote then those id should be issue for free. Meaning even the homeless on the streets should be given free ids. I do not believe in a state forcing any citizen to pay for an id to vote, for that will control who votes. -Joshua Zidek
I totally agree, but It is needed for everyone to have an ID. I do however believe it should be free of charge. I think taxes should cover any government required action/item that cost money.
I’m a tad conflicted; the article has a clear slant to it favouring one side. Some of the language that was used made me laugh “when most Texans were sleeping, the US supreme court snuck out a one-line judgment”. Looking past this I think that it is outrageous. There has been talk about introducing the same thing in the UK, and I would be 100% for that. Providing ID would not be as much of a problem, but here it really seems as though the rule is singling a minority of people out. I don’t think it is a bad idea but I think that the voter ID card should be income based, it can’t cost that much to make it. That would ensure that people that really want to vote but are disadvantaged still have an opportunity to do so.
SB14 law in Texas prevents people from voting if they don't have an ID. Guess who's likely to not have an ID? lower-class black and hispanic Texans. Most of these 600,000 individuals don't have an ID because their lifestyle doesn't necessitate one And in order to attain an ID at this point costs them a lot of money and trouble. There are a lot of hoops to jump through and catch-22. All to express their right to vote. I understand why presenting an ID at the voting booth is important, but the law shouldn't have changed while such a great number of people didn't meet the requirement. The government should have reached out and set up programs for everyone to easily attain identification that would satisfy the states voting regulations.
Looking back over this, in light of recent events, I am honestly not surprised that out government is able/ wants to restrict who can vote. Even the text says that people who are less likely to have these documents are people of lower socioeconomic status, a lot of minoritiies in this case. Changing laws to mold or shape your voting pool is desparate and should be illegal. However, it is probably not "noticed" by others in power that this is the consequence, and if it is, something tells me that they do not care. It's an unfortunate place to be, where everything is against you, and I feel terrible for this man or anyone in that situation because really there is nothing they can do to change it.
This article serves as a shining example of how Republican-Elitist ideas and motives more than often lead to a miscarriage of the "American Dream" and basic civil rights for some folk, namely historically oppressed racial minorities and those of poverty. From here, it is clearly evident how a select few manage to manipulate a system, in order to rend votes and data which further supplement the ideas of privilege for a few, and oppression for the rest.
I agree, the problem with something like this is it is fairly obvious that this is a play by the Republican party to try and get an edge in elections. What I find disturbing about it is the fact that they would be willing to deny people their basic rights in order to achieve that goal. I also agree that normally the people who end up getting oppressed by things such as this normally end up being racial minorities as well as the poor.
This is obvious agenda by a political party (Republican) to suppress votes in districts that contain many minorities, states like texas and honestly, all states are increasing with minority races, what this means for the rep. party is that they essentially are going to have less votes pull for them. Obviously this in a breach of constitutional rights, but thats not gonna keep the GOP from trying, unfortunately there are loop holes such as the SB14 law, but I'm opinion, this is just another poll-taxing like situation to keep a specific group from be able to vote. ID's should at the very least be a tax right off in this sense -Crash
I agree with the viewpoint expressed in the article that the new voter identification laws were not actually intended as a deterrent against voter fraud which had been reported as being outstandingly low before the laws were implemented, but were indeed a political ploy by the republicans in the state of Texas to suppress the votes of the overwhelmingly democratic Black and Latino populations. It is really infuriating to see laws put in place that discriminate and are there primarily to inconvenience, interfere, or completely suppress one of the most central American rights. This article demonstrates the inequality that exists between minority groups in society and the people who are in power. The people in power sometimes unfortunately try to use their power to target specific groups for their own personal gain.
I can't say that I am surprised that the government is trying to change the voting low, and trying to change who votes. Changing laws to shape a voting pool should be illegal. It is probably not noticed that the ones in power do not realize what they are doing, or if they do, it is not something that they care about. It's an unfortunate place to be, where everything is against you, and unfortunately in our society today, there is nothing that our society can do.
It is unfortunate that Mr. Kennie had to deal with that situation. Some people take voting very seriously, and he happens to be one of them. That must not be a good feeling, thinking that you have everything you need to participate and excercise your right to vote, only to be informed that one small thing is stopping you. How is it that the state legislatue is that strict when there were only two offenses of fraud in the last 10 years. Mr. Kinnie brought valid identification to the polls and should have been able to play his part in the electoral system along with the others in the same quandary. - Maulford Smith
I feel that this law would be slightly more acceptable if enough advance notice to the law was given, and the transition not made so abrupt. Allowing people without a photo ID to have ample time to get one and providing ease of access to this (for example setting up places that provide voting photo IDs for free) would make this law more acceptable. As voting is a right of any citizen of the US, people should not have to pay for anything to be able to be involved in this process.
Well, I think that this article makes some good points about rich people, but they do not talk about the percent of rich people who become rich just because their family members are rich. For instance, the owners of rich companies such as Shell, Wal-Mart, Apple, etc. It is obvious that the children of those owners will have much more opportunities and money than most of the middle class’ children. Rich people continue to be rich because they have a history of advantages than the middle class have. And, most of the attributions that the articles made about the rich people are attributions that the educated middle class citizens have. More even, students like us have all those attributions. We are comfortable not been comfortable. We know that with a Bachelor’s degree, we can find a well-paid job, but yet we keep educating ourselves to gain more money and have a better future. And, we also find friends in our same position, students. We get good friends for life in college because we are surrounded by people like us with the same problems and goals. I think the article is fine, but that is not all we do not know about rich people. What we do not know about rich people is how they have their money so fast. Probably investments? That the middle class cannot made because they are just struggling to survive, provide for their families a better life, etc. Socy 241 Sara G. Millan
I believe that voting restriction laws requiring I.D.’s should be unconstitutional in the United States. These are the same types of laws that were used to restrict African Americans from voting in the South after the Civil Rights Act was passed. Today, there is very little actual voting fraud within the United States, so little in fact that only 2 cases have been tried and prosecuted in Texas over the past decade, even though over 20 million votes have been cast as the article states. That number represents less than .00001% of the votes in Texas over that period, or one instance every 10 million votes. Such an insignificant amount really has no effect on elections themselves and is just a political maneuver by politicians to discourage particular voters who would typically vote counter to their party, in this case Republicans looking to discourage poorer voters. All in all I think this should be illegal and be immediately struck down.
This law does not target the people who are committing voting fraud. Lower-class Blacks and lower-class Latinos typically work during regular voting hours anyway; which is why they need extended polling hours. So when will they have time to commit voting fraud?
The fact that anyone will purposely try to handicap an underrepresented and marginalized segment of the population is pathetic and proof that the political and legal system is broken. We have to demand better. As Martin Luther King famously wrote “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.
I find it very saddening that in 2014 (and 2015) we still cannot get it right.-Natasha D. Wright
It's upsetting and disappointing that this kind of blatant discrimination is still allowed today. It's as if we've rewinded back to the post civil war era/early 20th century. Laws like SB14 are just the modern, 21st century version of the poll tax and literacy tests. They're meant to discourage poor minorities, the typical democrats, from voting and claiming that it's meant to reduce electoral fraud but what a coincidence that this legislation was passed right around election time. The ones that aren't discouraged by the necessary documentation are oppressed and discouraged by fear of being thrown in jail because of traffic violations. Republicans did it knowing this would benefit them. Although I agree that Mr. Kennie's example is a bit extreme and we'd all like to think that everyone should be able to pay $23 to get a copy of their birth certificate and/or be able to at least provide one of the 6 acceptable forms of identification, there are millions of Americans who just like him live in extreme poverty and have to pick between putting food on their table, or exercising their "rights." It's absolutely ridiculous that he has to jump through so many hoops just to be able to exercise a basic right as a citizen that's granted to him in the constitution. What's even worse is the fact that the Supreme Court would allow something like this to happen when they are the ones who supposedly "protect our rights" from the government. Unbelievable. -Karen Reyes
I honestly didn't like the article; however, I think it is pretty horrible that this man has had such a hard time in being able to register. I think the point of requiring someone to need an ID to vote isn't a bad idea at all, but the hoops he has had to jump through seem incredibly tough and unnecessary. Yet, it was somewhat his fault and not at all the process that most people would have to go through with this law. Inequality will never stop or reduce because of the world we live in.
Unfortunately, I was not surprised by this article because it is the disheartening true about the voting process in America. Minority groups are the people who are most effected by these types of laws and it is no coincidence. Someones ability to afford certain updates to their identification cards is not important to voting. Is a passport not enough? No America should be excluded from something that is built into the backbone of our country. Minorities and poor Americans are people too and deserve the basic right of vote.
While it is necessary to have strict guidelines for who can vote, this situation is unfair to this individual. Given that some never have to for any particular reason own the various types of identification required means that there is at least a little unfairness in the voting procedure.,
It is difficult to understand why or how political parties can pull strings and create ways to change the outcome of elections, but I just see that as the world we live in. Every vote counts, but in this case by the law being passed, they somewhat prove that is not how it is anymore. I understand not allowing those who are immigrants, or recently new citizens not vote in immediate elections, but for those who are native, or have been citizens for a decent amount of time, it is unfair to simply strip them of their voting rights. This article bothers me because people who are more qualified than some eighteen year old teenagers who are now allowed to vote cannot have their say in who is in control of the country.
This article and story saddens and enrages me. How dare they take away something felt to be so sacred from a group of people! The law is clearly meant to discriminate because the list of acceptable forms of identification are so specific. A passport is so expensive, and is definitely out of the question for people who do not even have the chance or ability to leave the country. Since when did a voter registration card become invalid? In Baltimore when I voted in the 2012 Presidential Election, I was not asked for my registration card, the woman asked my name and address and then showed me the way to the machine to place my ballot.I have a State ID because I could be arrested in Baltimore City if I do not have any form of photo identification. However, it was not easy for me to get the $50 to pay for this ID, therefore I can only imagine how the people in Texas feel.
People fought hard for people of color to be able to vote, it is completely disrespectful and unconstitutional to limit this access.
How prominent is voter impersonation? Is this even a real issue or is it just something that people have created to cover up their obvious attempt to discriminate against people of color?
This article made me sick! I can't believe that some politicians are trying to make it harder for Americans to vote for who represents them. That's literally the most un-American thing I've ever heard of. What ever happened to democracy, where every vote counts (supposedly). What's even worse is that the law is obviously made to keep certain people (minorities and the lower class) from getting to the polls. Notice how a state ID wasn't on the list of valid forms of identification. Which would make things slightly better, because it's more likely that a person will at least have an ID card. Despite the disgusting actions of Texas politicians, I believe the biggest injustice mentioned in this article is that the Supreme Court allowed SB14 to continue forward. How can such a law possibly be constitutional, when it's literally denying people the right to vote?
I think that this article perfectly illustrates the systematic way in which minorities and low income citizens of America are exploited. This law is an obvious attempt to ensure that certain people can not partake in a right that they constitutionally have as American citizens. I do not see how the supreme court could allow such a law to be passed. This just proves once again that although we've come a long way as a country, we have an even further way to go. -Damarr Gordon
This article perfectly sums up how those in power manipulate the system to maintain power. Those who are in power could not even begin to understand the struggles of those who are poor face, and yet are responsible for supposedly representing their voice. This is a catch-22 law that did not take into account all those who would be affected, and ultimately denies several persons fundamental constitutional rights. I find it interesting as to why they would not allow for the current voter ID to be use to replace the new ID.
This law is unjust and completely unnecessary, and as the article says, primarily serves to exclude minorities from being able to vote. It is nothing sort of absurd that Kennie, who was born in Texas, raised in Texas, lived in Texas all his life, is unable to vote because he cannot produce one of the types of ID required by the law. The law seems to be written purposefully to exclude minorities - white people would have the types of ID required by the law, but Blacks and Latinos are much less likely to have those. Even when Kennie tries to get approved by procuring electric bills and his birth certificate, he is turned down every single time. It doesn't look like it on the surface, but this law really is outright exclusion.
This well written piece is sad in many ways. The fact that corrupt politicians are allowed to wage this kind of war against the poor and minorities, making it harder for people to participate in the democratic process in what is called the worlds oldest democracy, is amazing and the result is obvious, in the 2012 election only about half of the people in this country went to vote, compared to over 70 % in European countries. Another heartbreaking thing about this story is Eric’s heroic determination to participate in the democratic process, still believing that things will get better and doing his part, however insignificant it may seem, to achieve equality and improve the lives of the 99%, not least African Americans. I don’t see how anyone can read this text without getting upset. These kinds of laws are not just an attack on the poor, it is attack on the democracy itself. - Visar Berisha
This is just not acceptable. Around 600,000 people are not being allowed there so called right to vote and yet in the past 10 years only 2 cases of identity fraud have occurred. It seems pretty clear the purpose for this change. This strict ID requirement is stopping minorities and college students from voting that would most likely vote democrat when compared to white older adults who by "chance" are not affected by the law. In the case of Kennie is spending money on transportation traveling back and forth to all the locations that the DPS office tell him to go and then paying for the documents but the DPS office is still not allowing him to vote. Kennie is no where near wealthy or even middle class but he is spending the little money he errands trying to do something that is his right.
I agree with a lot of the previous comments that voter id laws are a threat to democracy, serving mainly to exclude voters who are likely to vote for the democrats (since voter fraud is next to non-existent). What makes this even more scary is that it seems to be a part of a larger trend in politics recently. More and more focus is spent on trying to win elections and criticizing the opponents than actually governing and serving the people. And now it seems that it has gone so far as to some politicians trying to rig the game by excluding certain groups from the democratic process. This should be front page news in every affected state, every day until all of those voter id laws have been repealed. - Malin Niklasson
I think that this law is unacceptable. The fact that there have only been TWO cases of voter fraud in the state of Texas, and they still choose to implement this law is a violation of every citizens right to vote. 600,000 people, most like Eric, are unable to vote because they do not have the means to produce 1 of the 6 acceptable forms of identification. This is a disgraceful act by the government of Texas, and I am hopeful that in the upcoming elections they do not use this system, as many important votes are not being accounted for.
Any damn thing to keep the less fortunate voices unheard, especially since most decisions made lately in this country typically worsen their situations. This entire ordeal makes me angry, I remember hearing about this new law among other tricky laws made to keep minorities, especially, from being able to have a voice. It's enough that too many people believe voting is pointless, or even understand the importance of voting during the midterm elections, the fact that the ones that do are being hindered from being apart of the decision making in this country once every 4 years. I hope that people who are faced with this block, fight as hard as they can to get their voice back, because giving up is what is expected of them.
It is disgusting that in the United States this type of voter restriction is allowed, and LEGISLATED. Republicans in these southern states mask these ultimately racist and classist voting laws as ways to combat electoral fraud, but we know all of that to be a farce because there have only been two cases in the past ten years that a voting fraud case has reached a conviction in the state of Texas. -Gregory Brown
I did not realize that there were so many voting restrictions placed on individuals in different states. I believe having such a law is very unjust, especially because there have been only two cases of voter fraud in the state of Texas in the past 10 years out of the20 million votes. This law is a way for the Republicans to quiet the vote of the minorities in the state Texas. In the article it stated, “The state of Texas is using tax dollars consciously to suppress their own voters.” This made me very uncomfortable that even after having gone through so many loops to be able to vote in the first place, individuals are still being prevented to vote in their state.
What saddens me about the stricter voter id laws is how much they reflect the small restrictions that occurred during the Jim Crow era to stop black Americans from voting. Similarly, voter id laws mainly stop black and latino Americans from being able to cast their vote, stifling a whole group's voice come election time. This only benefits the mainly white, Republican leadership of Texas, who claim to have put these laws in place to combat voter fraud, which has only had two reported cases in the past ten years. The laws instead oppress those that wish to vote that have a lower income status and don't posses the "correct" form of identification. The worst part of the article to me was when it discussed Kennie's attempts of retrieving an election identification certificate. He was rejected multiple times despite giving them multiple documents, demonstrating how clearly biased the system is.
What saddens me about the stricter voter id laws is how much they reflect the small restrictions that occurred during the Jim Crow era to stop black Americans from voting. Similarly, voter id laws mainly stop black and latino Americans from being able to cast their vote, stifling a whole group's voice come election time. This only benefits the mainly white, Republican leadership of Texas, who claim to have put these laws in place to combat voter fraud, which has only had two reported cases in the past ten years. The laws instead oppress those that wish to vote that have a lower income status and don't posses the "correct" form of identification. The worst part of the article to me was when it discussed Kennie's attempts of retrieving an election identification certificate. He was rejected multiple times despite giving them multiple documents, demonstrating how clearly biased the system is.
i was sick to my stomach when i was reading this article. As leaders of free world we spend billions of dollars overseas trying to fix other countries problem and tell the world that we are spreading democracy but we cant even fix our issues. no citizen of this country should have to show their TV bill or any kind of bill to proof their are citizens. these individuals are paying taxes but the state is using that same tax dollars to suppress voters.
Being a Maryland native and also a hispanic decedent I find this article very informative. Maryland has the largest population of Central American Immigrants and some of them might not be in the country legally. I understand that the country wants to make sure only US citizens vote because it is a right. But I find it very disturbing that they are making it difficult for people to do it. The majority of people who vote are mostly white older people. Minorities that are from the lower class might find it difficult to vote if the country is making it difficult for them to vote. This hurts the country because the United States is suppose to be a democratic country that should make it easy for its citizens to vote in order to really have a good democracy and not just have the people who are privilege to vote.
I understand everybody's skepticism about this law, especially because America has a rough history involving voter restriction laws. I'll play devil's advocate and say that even though some politicians might have such motives behind their decision to pass this law, voting is not the only practice that is affected by these strict standards of identification - I've been through the same strenuous process as Kenny at the MVA, airport, and so forth. Maybe they are trying to infringe upon the rights of minorities, but sometimes I feel like they are just following protocol.
I remember learning about voter registration laws in AP Government in high school, and thinking how interesting it was that politicians who were usually Republican vote to pass these laws, as a method of eliminating support for their more liberal counterpart. I'm still unsure of how I stand politically, but I know that it is unsettling to hear that a man who was born and raised in Texas had to jump through hurdles to prove it just because of his skin color. I cannot imagine being questioned of my right to vote because of my skin color, and I think laws definitely need to be changed to avoid such outright discrimination.
This article is shocking because it shows that even if there is no intention to exclude people of low socio-economic status from voting, restrictive policy changes still naturally hurt them the most. It is so difficult to give everyone equal rights because that means money and power make the difference. On the other hand, there are endless ways to screw over the poor.
Before reading this article, I never knew that voting laws were so harsh. I believe wholeheartedly that these laws are put in place to keep minorities from voting because they are the only ones who are affected. It is crazy that they kept giving this man the run around just for him to be able to vote. Also, out of the six forms of identification that has been approved, the average American citizen only has one. The government puts laws like this into place because they know they are outnumbered and they want to keep the power in their hands. It's disheartening that this is the land of the free and everyone is supposed to have the right to vote, but that does not always happen.
The new law in Texas is what makes the Supreme Court Striking down parts of the 1965 Civil Rights Law dealing with voting so abominable. Its ridiculous that the United States makes it so difficult to vote when voting is considered a constitutional right. People in this country have fought for free and fair elections abroad and we can't even get them at home. Texan republicans know that the majority of their voter base is wealthier white people who would either have no problem acquiring any of these documents or would already have these documents so it would be no problem. They can easily keep their state a white republican state by not allowing minorities to vote and further minority issues. People saying voting is the way to create change but how are you supposed to create change when their are barriers inhibiting voting.
I did not realize that there were so many voting restrictions placed on individuals in different states. I believe having such a law is very unjust, especially because there have been only two cases of voter fraud in the state of Texas in the past 10 years out of the20 million votes. This law is a way for the Republicans to quiet the vote of the minorities in the state Texas. In the article it stated, “The state of Texas is using tax dollars consciously to suppress their own voters.” This made me very uncomfortable that even after having gone through so many loops to be able to vote in the first place, individuals are still being prevented to vote in their state.
I also think this law was made to prevent the minority citizens to vote. I mean Middle class citizens and other do have a problem paying for the picture ID or doing what is required by the law. But most of the minority people do. Why they have to pay for something that the state government will benefit from? Isn't any politician's dream that everyone votes? Perhaps there will be someone voting for them. But I think that with things happening in Texas in these last months, I can understand why they do not want minority to vote. I think its against the law to put a price on something that should be free. Either that one can afford it or not. Its like taking the votes of many. I am pretty sure many will not take the pic until last minute, when its too late to register to vote.
I think its very unfortunate that this man and many other are having their voting rights stripped from them because of such an unnecessary law. As mentioned in the article, there have only been 2 impersonation-related voting cases in the past 10 years. This sort of law seems completely unneeded and seems to only be stripping the voters of their rights, rather than protecting them. Of course impersonation should be in concern when regarding voting practices, but there should be a more efficient, fair way for those who cannot provide this photo-identification to still have their voting privileges.
I think it is pretty horrible that this man has had such a hard time in being able to register. I think the point of requiring someone to need an ID to vote isn't a bad idea at all, but the hoops he has had to jump through seem incredibly tough and unnecessary. Yet, it was somewhat his fault and not at all the process that most people would have to go through with this law. $23 is not a lot of money, and I understand the argument that this man is poor, but maybe he should just skip a couple Popeye Tuesday's if voting means that much to him. We all have to sacrifice things every once in a while, and this man is making it harder on himself. To top it all off, he has been living under the wrong name for his whole life, i don't believe most people will have that problem when trying to get ID to vote.
ReplyDeleteMichael Lerche
Although I agree that sometimes you have to sacrifice certain things for others. I still think the voter laws are terrible. Frame it however you want, I do not think it is a coincidence that it will affect mostly minorities and poor people. This law has successfully discouraged certain groups of people from voting. It is too early to tell to what extent it will prevent people from voting but I would definitely NOT make the assumption that most people will not have a problem trying to get an ID to vote.
DeleteAlejandra Hernandez
Coming from immigrant parents, it is most definitely likely that in the process of filling out millions of forms for citizenship, leases, car notes, etc., you can have documentations with misspelling, or different names on different forms, etc. It is the case with my mother and I can't blame her for not understanding everything with little English knowledge. So most people can definitely have that problem especially when dealing with minority families.
Delete$23 could be a million dollars to some people. To say that it's not a lot is not fair to people who literally need $20 to help them survive. To say he can skip a couple of Popeye days is a little insensitive especially considering that he clearly said he splurges on Popeyes. it's not a regular thing. He does this when he can. Buy food. A daily thing for some of us a but a grand luxury for others. The point of this article wasn't to draw pity to Mr.Kennie's story. It was to bring to light that as minor as this process may seem, it has a big effect on people's lives and there are MANY others like Mr.Kennie who will not able to vote this year because of such sudden and inconsiderate regulation.
Semira Tesfai
Michael Marinelli
DeleteThe voting control should be illegal and it's really anti-democratic at the height of it all. I will be the first to admit I haven't since 2010 and this makes me wonder if I am actually doing the right thing.
When I read this article, I got really upset. It is one of the patriotic duties that we have as American citizens to get the right to vote, and these people do not want to see it happen. I think it's really unfair because like what has been said in the past, most of these people who this new law effects are poor and are more likely to vote on the democratic side. By the republican government enforcing this law, they are essentially insuring that that democratic party in the election gets more votes. This is more than unfair - it's unjust and should be illegal.
ReplyDeleteI feeel as though as a black person in America I have to constantly battle the right of being a citizen. I agree with this article that Republicans and many other political figures need to put themselves in a minority shoes. The article main goal for me seems to be push for a better voter turnout during midterm elections.
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely no coincidence that these new, more stringent voter ID laws would negatively affect the working poor, minorities, and the poor. Historically, these groups of people have voted against the agenda of those who support unfair voter laws. As Americans, we love to yell about our freedom of speech, our right to bear arms but tend to remain silent about something as important as a large segment of the population not being able to vote, most likely because they would affect people that we tend to care a little less about. Not since the 1960s have voter ID laws been deemed necessary, which leads me to believe that the catalyst for these laws is the election of the first Black president (twice).
ReplyDeleteLindsay Bonaparte
This article is a prime example of the detrimental effects of voter suppression laws. Over the past few years Conservative law makers have placed a greater emphasis on these laws since they think that minority voters elected President Obama twice. In reality, white voters were still largest demographic that elected him given that the US has become more democratic. While the article states that the new voter ID laws will effect African American Americans and Hispanics, its important to note that other low income individuals will be affected as well. Reading Eric Kennie's story was absolutely heartbreaking, at the same time there should be more articles and awareness about how White, Asian, and Native American voters are impacted by these laws across the country. That way there is equal representation and Conservative law makers may one day see how these laws are impacting the US population not just African Americans and Hispanics. These laws are constantly suppressing low income individuals.
ReplyDeleteTrini92
While reading this article, I felt bad for Eric Kennie. I am from Texas myself, my family moved there from the Philippines, and I am familiar with the patriotism instilled within the state. However, I do not believe that requiring a form of identification, while voting, is bad. They are allowing six different forms of identification (US passport, US military ID, driver’s license, license to carry concealed handgun, and a new form of identification specially created for voting under SB14.) In Texas, illegal immigrants are a huge problem and nowadays, the majority of US citizens have at least one form of identification. You must show identification while doing almost any every day thing including using a credit card, registering for classes, starting a new job, traveling, buying alcohol and tobacco products, renting or buying real estate, ect. so for something as important as voting, I do not see a problem with requiring identification and that is coming from a first generation, Texan, whose family is impacted by this law.
ReplyDeleteLindsey Stalnaker
I think that its absolutely disgusting in how these people's rights are being taken away. As Americans it is our constitutive right to vote as we so please. In Maryland I have had to show my photo ID when I go voting; however this being a new law in Texas, I don't think it should applied especially if it hadn't been applied before. If you already have a voter registration card and no photo ID then I see no valid reason for you to get one now. Its clear that this law is directed at suppressing the voting rights of marginalized people of color, the poor and the elderly. There has to be a better way than just stripping these peoples' rights just because they don't have a photo ID.
ReplyDeleteDeven Powell
I completely agree with you here. Their tactics are purely, if not mostly targeting those who are defenseless. If you can't afford to go along with this process, you can't vote--and they have made it clear who's votes they actually want. This is disgusting, especially when we think about it further. These people are running for some form of political power, "to help the people". Isn't ironic that they're screwing them over before they even win their grand position?
DeleteIt is extremely disappointing to see what happened to approximately 600,000 people in the state of Texas. The fact that the US Supreme Court prepared a "one-line judgment" that allowed for this law to be applied for this year's election is inappropriate. Knowing that a large portion of the voters are minorities with insufficient resources to meet the needs to vote, applying such law prevents them from being able to vote, which violates their constitutional right to vote. This is another example of suppression and taking the rights from the lower class. Furthermore, this partakes in their inability to move up the social ladder.
ReplyDeleteThis literally makes my stomach hurt. That people are totally fine with creating laws that restrict their own people of a basic right. In my perspective, this new legislature was created to simply restrict those in a poor position from voting. In order to vote you must jump through all of these hoops; not everyone is able to jump through those hoops because they aren't as privileged. Why was this necessary all of a sudden? Because someone with power decided that they needed to sway the vote by shaping the voting demographics for themselves. It blows my mind that this is actually a thing; voting is a constiutional right, it isn't that difficult to do so physically, so why all of the restrictions? I'm confused and fed up. Eric Kennie's vote matters just as much as anyone elses, but due to circumstances beyond his control, he doesn't have a say.
ReplyDeleteWith the upcoming elections, this article was especially fascinating because it helped me understand the injustices that some people face due to the electoral system. I registered to vote two days after I turned eighteen, although I was unable to vote in the 2012 presidential elections, making this election the first that I will be able to be a part of. And I am ecstatic to show my love of the nation through this small act. Eric Kennie is just as much of an American that I am and wants to show his patriotism by voting and yet he is unable to do so. Due to my parents’ hard work and success in the professional world, I have been awarded privileges that have been denied to many such as access to a car, meaning I need a driver’s license. Kennie works just as hard as many other Americans that will be voting on November 4th but since the SB14 came into effect he is unable to show the documents needed to cast a vote. This seems unfair considering he has lived in Texas his whole life and when interviewed claims to only want to make an America that is better for upcoming generations. As a student, I have only been able to read and learn a small amount of the candidates running for office in Maryland. Although I have attained a high school diploma and am working towards a college degree, Kennie is the one who is set on creating a better world and changing the one we already have.
ReplyDeleteI found this article to be very interesting because many people do not realize the amount of people that cannot produce a valid photo ID at voting polls. The fact that these voter ID laws will stop almost 600,000 residents from voting is a statistic that is hard to ignore. If you dig deeper you see that the majority of this number are lower income minorities and it calls into question the motives behind SB14. Generally this demographic votes democrat and this law was issued by a conservative supreme court. To diminish voting rights for the purpose of political gain is illegal and I find these laws to be unconstitutional. I found the end of the article to be humorous when the author commented on the irony of Kennie's situation; that he would actually have to "impersonate" his name on his birth certificate in order to vote when these laws are supposedly for diminishing voter fraud.
ReplyDeleteKevin Maclary
This article actually made me very, very sad. It is extremely disturbing to think that the United States is denying people their right to vote. The fact that a simple man from Texas who is clearly and American by any means, is being denied his constitutional right to vote is horrifying. Eric Kennie is a man who, clearly, holds his rights very dearly and wants to be able to express his opinion on election day. He even went to extreme lengths to try to get some type of identification simply to be able to vote. His expedition to find an ID cost him more money than one day of work. Also, Kennie doesnt just want to vote for himself, he says that he wants to be ableto vote for the following generation. He wants to make the world a better place for, not just him, but, every generation to come. The question that the people making laws like SB14 should be asking is, what good is coming out of not allowing people like Eric Kennie to vote?
ReplyDeleteCaitlin Crouse
As a minority myself, I value the privilege I have to vote. I feel as though voting is one of the most significant rights that we have in order to have our voice heard in a nation who's elite weighs most of the power. The United States deems itself as a nation that is for the people and by the people when really that means for the elite and by the elite. It's so sad to see that minorities an low income citizens are being suppressed from voting this law. This is just one of the many way this nation is upholding the rights and interests of the elite over those of the lower class minorities and low income citizens. Eric Kennie's story really appealed to me because just like him, my parents once struggled with income. They really relied on voting and their rights as citizens to be where they are today. It makes me sad to think that Eric Kennie may never achieve his goals with the constant suppression that the government places upon him and many other minorities. Seem as though this nation is incorporating De Facto discrimination very subliminally and it is quite disgusting.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I was not surprised by this article because it is the disheartening true about the voting process in America. Minority groups are the people who are most effected by these types of laws and it is no coincidence. Someones ability to afford certain updates to their identification cards is not important to voting. Is a passport not enough? No america should be excluded from something that is built into the backbone of our country. Minorities and poor americans are people too and deserve the basic right of vote.
ReplyDeleteKendall Heatley
I think that it is outrageous that this type of law was allowed to be passed in the state of Texas, however it did not surprise me. Since before civil rights, state governments have done everything in their power to disenfranchise certain people from voting. As much as I would like to believe that our society is progressing, it is still stuck on the race, and poverty issue. I hope that we make a shift towards equality, but until then, laws should be made to help not harm U.S. citizens.
ReplyDeleteTexas is but one example of many states that are denying their citizens the right to vote. Over the past few elections, the percentage of people who committed voter fraud relative to the percentage of people who voted correctly is staggering. It is ridiculous to say that the number of voting fraud issues is significant. Unfortunately, these states engage in this ridiculous behavior in order to suppress low income and minority voters. They do so for political gains. In Pennsylvania, a high ranking Republican figure talked gleefully about using similar laws to have Mitt Romney win the state. Again, political repression happens at one end of the spectrum and not the other. Rarely do rich citizens get turned away at the voting booth. Indeed, the final rejection of the low income voter is the end of an extended problem of the group not being able to participate in the public debate as much as others.
ReplyDeleteI think that voting laws are disgusting an a modern day version of literacy tests. The claim that there is a need for precautions to "protect" voting is ridiculous. There is no proof that there is a sufficient amount of voter fraud that would make it necessary. For example, in the 2012 election, there were lesson than 700 accusations of voter fraud. I think its pretty obvious to most, even if the proponents of the voter id law wont admit it, the point is to prevent minorities and low income voters from being able to vote. I am honestly so bothered by this, and the story of Eric Kennie only made me more enraged. The only thing I hate more than discrimination is when people pretend they aren't discriminating.
ReplyDelete- Ana Kyriakos
I believe that this new voting law in Texas is completely ridiculous. There is almost no reason to implement this law where there was no problem to begin with. The article states that only two people in Texas were convicted of voter fraud in recent history out of the millions in the state that go to vote. This is a very low percentage and to me, seems that the problem is so small, that it is too negligible to make a law to "fix". Instead of this law protecting from voter fraud, it hinders many from voting at all. Whether intentional or not, this law discriminates against low income families and citizens because they cannot afford to obtain a from of identification. These low income families are mostly demographics of African Americans and Hispanics. This is another problem because these two demographics tend to vote Democrat, which strengthens the Republican influence in the conservative state of Texas even more.
ReplyDeleteVoter ID laws can be a touchy subject to begin with. I think if you have voter ID laws to make sure only citizens of the United States our allowed to vote, then it should not cost them any money for a sate ID in that state. If you do not make it easy to obtain an ID without money it looks like that state is trying to control who can vote or not. What seems affordable for an ID for us may not be so affordable for others. It is like having an ID cost 25 thousand dollars that would only allow a few citizens to vote. The higher courts will most likely up hold this law because those who support it will use the constitution, which says only citizens can vote . To make the law more equal they need to lower the cost of IDs in Texas as low as a dollar, otherwise they will be creating inequality in voting which I do not agree with at all. Every citizen has the right to vote.
ReplyDelete-Joshua Zidek
I honestly believe that this law is ridiculous and uncalled for. It is very sad to see that African Americans and Hispanics and other minorities are being heavily affected by this and I would not be surprised if this was done on purpose to affect minorities. The ability to vote is something that every American has the right to practice and now Texas is trying to take away this freedom to vote.
ReplyDeleteReading this article filled me with disgust for my country. I cannot believe this law has been passed and was able to passed. It is disgusting that this type of bigotry and institutionalized racism is still allowed to exist, and no one is doing anything about this. It is also saddens me that this article was written on such a small site such as The Guardian, as opposed to Time Magazine or The Washington Post. The level of ignorance of the people is willful and at the same time involuntary. If the Washington Post can write a column everyday on horoscopes, I think they should be able to speak about the inequality that is affecting REAL PEOPLE with REAL ISSUES everyday. The right to vote is a RIGHT not a privilege, and the fact that this right is being rescinded from people based on their race is just a means for the white middle and upper class to keep their status quo. It is very, very sad to see.
ReplyDeleteThis article was actually sickening to read and to consider, given the fact that this country was supposedly built on the ideals that the people should have a voice in who is appointed to lead them, aka having a chance and the inherent right to vote. The fact that lawmakers in this country can even come up with such a prohibitive law, knowing full well it would negatively impact the lowest-income residents, the poorest members of society, all to achieve their own narrow-minded political agenda, goes to show their levels of inherent corruptness and disregard for the true political ideals of America. Furthermore, there was no sufficient problem in the state to warrant any response, let alone one at such a restrictive level that alienates 600,000 people from their part in the executive/legislative process.
ReplyDeleteI can understand the need for photo ID for voting. What I don't understand is how hard it can be for people to obtain any sort of identification. I can't imagine myself in a position where I couldn't afford 23 dollars to get the identification I need to vote, but clearly there are people in that very position. Ignoring the several frustrating excuses in the article ("What would someone who has never even crossed the city boundary of Austin do with a passport?" ...Umm how about vote?) I think an interesting issue to look at is how we could offer cheap (or free?) forms of government issued photo ID to anyone.
ReplyDeleteThis article was hard to read. It is hard to believe that the Republican is able to get away with these law that are blatantly discriminatory. With the demographics of our country rapidly changing, the minority populations are becoming the majority. Generally, minorities do not vote Republican so to combat the increasing population the Republican have to prevent these people from voting. This law takes the ability to vote away from such a large percentage of the population and it is a specific percentage that consists of minorities and those with low incomes (Democratic voters). The most disappointing point of the article for me was the fact that the Supreme Court allowed SB14 to take effect. The Supreme Court has arguably the most important role in American politics and it seems they dropped the ball on this particular issue. This will make it nearly impossible to overturn these laws in the future.
ReplyDeleteThis article was hard to read. It is hard to believe that the Republican is able to get away with these law that are blatantly discriminatory. With the demographics of our country rapidly changing, the minority populations are becoming the majority. Generally, minorities do not vote Republican so to combat the increasing population the Republican have to prevent these people from voting. This law takes the ability to vote away from such a large percentage of the population and it is a specific percentage that consists of minorities and those with low incomes (Democratic voters). The most disappointing point of the article for me was the fact that the Supreme Court allowed SB14 to take effect. The Supreme Court has arguably the most important role in American politics and it seems they dropped the ball on this particular issue. This will make it nearly impossible to overturn these laws in the future.
ReplyDeleteJack O'Connor
I can't believe that our government would allow a state to suppress their citizens right to vote; throwing barrier after barrier in front of them to willfully deter them from voting and having their voices heard. This is appalling to say the least. The article makes it even more clear why more people disapprove of the Supreme Court. "But last week, in the early hours of 18 October, when most Texans were sleeping, the US supreme court snuck out a one-line judgment that allowed the voter ID restrictions to be applied this election cycle. Without any explanation...." This is a tactic to decrease the number of non- Republican voters at the polls and I can't believe that it actually worked (for now). It is unfortunate that people like Eric Kennie had to spend so much time and money ( especially because of their low socioeconomic status) in order to get what they were told they needed, only to be turned down. It all just adds insult to injury.
ReplyDeleteI hope that once people actually meet the requirements to vote in the next election, that there will not be another barrier put in front of them. And hopefully people will have Eric Kennie's dedication and determination to vote and make a difference. “I do need to vote, I really do,” he said. “It’s too late for me, but this is for the next generation. They need us to get out the people who harm us and bring in folk who will make things a little better. So I’m going to keep on. I’m going to stay focused, roll with the punches and do what I got to do.”
I find this law very atrocious. While I don't believe that this law was directly made to discriminate against minorities (I cannot believe that in 2014 a law like that could pass), it does end up effecting them. Any law that restricts the democratic process (the right to vote of all citizens) should be struck down as unconstitutional by the supreme court. I was shocked to read that this law passed. Anything that takes away anyones basic right to vote should not be allowed to pass.
ReplyDeleteThe article points out a lot of interest points and concerns of people. I personally feel that it isn’t right that these people’s rights are taken away. People come to America hoping to live the American Dream, after all isn’t voting a part of that? I feel that there is no point in creating and passing laws and in reality overlaps other laws. Why create laws that restrict rights of people of their own such as poor’s? it doesn’t make sense to me that just because someone in charge with the power to make changes to the voting demographics in ways that will benefit themselves. Not everyone has the same privilege or opportunity to go through the challenges just to vote. However, it is no surprise to me for something like this because the people most affect by laws like these happens to be minority groups.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe this law passed. It is absurd in 2014 we have actually passed a law that make it harder for U.S. citizens to vote. Voting is one of the most cherished things in America and the fact that anyone thought this was a good idea is beyond me. "It was justified by Governor Rick Perry and the Republican chiefs in the state legislature as a means of combating electoral fraud" No, I believe this law was to stop the poor from voting. The reason for this is the fact that an overwhelming majority of the poor are liberals and Texas is republican run.
ReplyDelete-Matt Fera
A lifelong citizen of Texas cannot vote because he does not have photo ID. Eric Kennie has lived his entire life in the State of Texas, in fact he lived his whole life in the city of Austin. He makes it a point to vote in every election because he wants to be a part of the democratic process that the United States prides itself on. However, he is prevented from doing so because of a new law that forces one to have photo ID to prove that they are not an impersonator. In a state where there have been 20 million votes cast, yet only two instances of voter fraud. This is clearly a measure to prevent the lower-class people, specifically Blacks and Latinos, from voting. It is a measure to ensure that the people on top get more of a say in deciding who represents them in government.
ReplyDeleteMathew, I agree with you and disagree what is going on with Texas voting rights unless some stipulations are added. If a state requires all citizens to have an id to vote then those id should be issue for free. Meaning even the homeless on the streets should be given free ids. I do not believe in a state forcing any citizen to pay for an id to vote, for that will control who votes.
ReplyDelete-Joshua Zidek
I totally agree, but It is needed for everyone to have an ID. I do however believe it should be free of charge. I think taxes should cover any government required action/item that cost money.
ReplyDeleteI’m a tad conflicted; the article has a clear slant to it favouring one side. Some of the language that was used made me laugh “when most Texans were sleeping, the US supreme court snuck out a one-line judgment”. Looking past this I think that it is outrageous. There has been talk about introducing the same thing in the UK, and I would be 100% for that. Providing ID would not be as much of a problem, but here it really seems as though the rule is singling a minority of people out. I don’t think it is a bad idea but I think that the voter ID card should be income based, it can’t cost that much to make it. That would ensure that people that really want to vote but are disadvantaged still have an opportunity to do so.
ReplyDeleteSB14 law in Texas prevents people from voting if they don't have an ID. Guess who's likely to not have an ID? lower-class black and hispanic Texans. Most of these 600,000 individuals don't have an ID because their lifestyle doesn't necessitate one And in order to attain an ID at this point costs them a lot of money and trouble. There are a lot of hoops to jump through and catch-22. All to express their right to vote. I understand why presenting an ID at the voting booth is important, but the law shouldn't have changed while such a great number of people didn't meet the requirement. The government should have reached out and set up programs for everyone to easily attain identification that would satisfy the states voting regulations.
ReplyDeleteLooking back over this, in light of recent events, I am honestly not surprised that out government is able/ wants to restrict who can vote. Even the text says that people who are less likely to have these documents are people of lower socioeconomic status, a lot of minoritiies in this case. Changing laws to mold or shape your voting pool is desparate and should be illegal. However, it is probably not "noticed" by others in power that this is the consequence, and if it is, something tells me that they do not care. It's an unfortunate place to be, where everything is against you, and I feel terrible for this man or anyone in that situation because really there is nothing they can do to change it.
ReplyDeleteThis article serves as a shining example of how Republican-Elitist ideas and motives more than often lead to a miscarriage of the "American Dream" and basic civil rights for some folk, namely historically oppressed racial minorities and those of poverty. From here, it is clearly evident how a select few manage to manipulate a system, in order to rend votes and data which further supplement the ideas of privilege for a few, and oppression for the rest.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the problem with something like this is it is fairly obvious that this is a play by the Republican party to try and get an edge in elections. What I find disturbing about it is the fact that they would be willing to deny people their basic rights in order to achieve that goal. I also agree that normally the people who end up getting oppressed by things such as this normally end up being racial minorities as well as the poor.
Delete-Matt Fera
This is obvious agenda by a political party (Republican) to suppress votes in districts that contain many minorities, states like texas and honestly, all states are increasing with minority races, what this means for the rep. party is that they essentially are going to have less votes pull for them. Obviously this in a breach of constitutional rights, but thats not gonna keep the GOP from trying, unfortunately there are loop holes such as the SB14 law, but I'm opinion, this is just another poll-taxing like situation to keep a specific group from be able to vote. ID's should at the very least be a tax right off in this sense
ReplyDelete-Crash
I agree with the viewpoint expressed in the article that the new voter identification laws were not actually intended as a deterrent against voter fraud which had been reported as being outstandingly low before the laws were implemented, but were indeed a political ploy by the republicans in the state of Texas to suppress the votes of the overwhelmingly democratic Black and Latino populations. It is really infuriating to see laws put in place that discriminate and are there primarily to inconvenience, interfere, or completely suppress one of the most central American rights. This article demonstrates the inequality that exists between minority groups in society and the people who are in power. The people in power sometimes unfortunately try to use their power to target specific groups for their own personal gain.
ReplyDeleteI can't say that I am surprised that the government is trying to change the voting low, and trying to change who votes. Changing laws to shape a voting pool should be illegal. It is probably not noticed that the ones in power do not realize what they are doing, or if they do, it is not something that they care about. It's an unfortunate place to be, where everything is against you, and unfortunately in our society today, there is nothing that our society can do.
ReplyDeleteMolly
It is unfortunate that Mr. Kennie had to deal with that situation. Some people take voting very seriously, and he happens to be one of them. That must not be a good feeling, thinking that you have everything you need to participate and excercise your right to vote, only to be informed that one small thing is stopping you. How is it that the state legislatue is that strict when there were only two offenses of fraud in the last 10 years. Mr. Kinnie brought valid identification to the polls and should have been able to play his part in the electoral system along with the others in the same quandary. - Maulford Smith
ReplyDeleteI feel that this law would be slightly more acceptable if enough advance notice to the law was given, and the transition not made so abrupt. Allowing people without a photo ID to have ample time to get one and providing ease of access to this (for example setting up places that provide voting photo IDs for free) would make this law more acceptable. As voting is a right of any citizen of the US, people should not have to pay for anything to be able to be involved in this process.
ReplyDeleteWell, I think that this article makes some good points about rich people, but they do not talk about the percent of rich people who become rich just because their family members are rich. For instance, the owners of rich companies such as Shell, Wal-Mart, Apple, etc. It is obvious that the children of those owners will have much more opportunities and money than most of the middle class’ children. Rich people continue to be rich because they have a history of advantages than the middle class have. And, most of the attributions that the articles made about the rich people are attributions that the educated middle class citizens have. More even, students like us have all those attributions. We are comfortable not been comfortable. We know that with a Bachelor’s degree, we can find a well-paid job, but yet we keep educating ourselves to gain more money and have a better future. And, we also find friends in our same position, students. We get good friends for life in college because we are surrounded by people like us with the same problems and goals. I think the article is fine, but that is not all we do not know about rich people. What we do not know about rich people is how they have their money so fast. Probably investments? That the middle class cannot made because they are just struggling to survive, provide for their families a better life, etc. Socy 241 Sara G. Millan
ReplyDeleteI believe that voting restriction laws requiring I.D.’s should be unconstitutional in the United States. These are the same types of laws that were used to restrict African Americans from voting in the South after the Civil Rights Act was passed. Today, there is very little actual voting fraud within the United States, so little in fact that only 2 cases have been tried and prosecuted in Texas over the past decade, even though over 20 million votes have been cast as the article states. That number represents less than .00001% of the votes in Texas over that period, or one instance every 10 million votes. Such an insignificant amount really has no effect on elections themselves and is just a political maneuver by politicians to discourage particular voters who would typically vote counter to their party, in this case Republicans looking to discourage poorer voters. All in all I think this should be illegal and be immediately struck down.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, history is repeating itself.
ReplyDeleteThis law does not target the people who are committing voting fraud. Lower-class Blacks and lower-class Latinos typically work during regular voting hours anyway; which is why they need extended polling hours. So when will they have time to commit voting fraud?
The fact that anyone will purposely try to handicap an underrepresented and marginalized segment of the population is pathetic and proof that the political and legal system is broken. We have to demand better. As Martin Luther King famously wrote “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.
I find it very saddening that in 2014 (and 2015) we still cannot get it right.-Natasha D. Wright
It's upsetting and disappointing that this kind of blatant discrimination is still allowed today. It's as if we've rewinded back to the post civil war era/early 20th century. Laws like SB14 are just the modern, 21st century version of the poll tax and literacy tests. They're meant to discourage poor minorities, the typical democrats, from voting and claiming that it's meant to reduce electoral fraud but what a coincidence that this legislation was passed right around election time. The ones that aren't discouraged by the necessary documentation are oppressed and discouraged by fear of being thrown in jail because of traffic violations. Republicans did it knowing this would benefit them. Although I agree that Mr. Kennie's example is a bit extreme and we'd all like to think that everyone should be able to pay $23 to get a copy of their birth certificate and/or be able to at least provide one of the 6 acceptable forms of identification, there are millions of Americans who just like him live in extreme poverty and have to pick between putting food on their table, or exercising their "rights." It's absolutely ridiculous that he has to jump through so many hoops just to be able to exercise a basic right as a citizen that's granted to him in the constitution. What's even worse is the fact that the Supreme Court would allow something like this to happen when they are the ones who supposedly "protect our rights" from the government. Unbelievable. -Karen Reyes
ReplyDeleteI honestly didn't like the article; however, I think it is pretty horrible that this man has had such a hard time in being able to register. I think the point of requiring someone to need an ID to vote isn't a bad idea at all, but the hoops he has had to jump through seem incredibly tough and unnecessary. Yet, it was somewhat his fault and not at all the process that most people would have to go through with this law. Inequality will never stop or reduce because of the world we live in.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I was not surprised by this article because it is the disheartening true about the voting process in America. Minority groups are the people who are most effected by these types of laws and it is no coincidence. Someones ability to afford certain updates to their identification cards is not important to voting. Is a passport not enough? No America should be excluded from something that is built into the backbone of our country. Minorities and poor Americans are people too and deserve the basic right of vote.
ReplyDeleteWhile it is necessary to have strict guidelines for who can vote, this situation is unfair to this individual. Given that some never have to for any particular reason own the various types of identification required means that there is at least a little unfairness in the voting procedure.,
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult to understand why or how political parties can pull strings and create ways to change the outcome of elections, but I just see that as the world we live in. Every vote counts, but in this case by the law being passed, they somewhat prove that is not how it is anymore. I understand not allowing those who are immigrants, or recently new citizens not vote in immediate elections, but for those who are native, or have been citizens for a decent amount of time, it is unfair to simply strip them of their voting rights. This article bothers me because people who are more qualified than some eighteen year old teenagers who are now allowed to vote cannot have their say in who is in control of the country.
ReplyDeleteThis article and story saddens and enrages me. How dare they take away something felt to be so sacred from a group of people! The law is clearly meant to discriminate because the list of acceptable forms of identification are so specific. A passport is so expensive, and is definitely out of the question for people who do not even have the chance or ability to leave the country. Since when did a voter registration card become invalid? In Baltimore when I voted in the 2012 Presidential Election, I was not asked for my registration card, the woman asked my name and address and then showed me the way to the machine to place my ballot.I have a State ID because I could be arrested in Baltimore City if I do not have any form of photo identification. However, it was not easy for me to get the $50 to pay for this ID, therefore I can only imagine how the people in Texas feel.
ReplyDeletePeople fought hard for people of color to be able to vote, it is completely disrespectful and unconstitutional to limit this access.
How prominent is voter impersonation? Is this even a real issue or is it just something that people have created to cover up their obvious attempt to discriminate against people of color?
This article made me sick!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that some politicians are trying to make it harder for Americans to vote for who represents them. That's literally the most un-American thing I've ever heard of. What ever happened to democracy, where every vote counts (supposedly).
What's even worse is that the law is obviously made to keep certain people (minorities and the lower class) from getting to the polls. Notice how a state ID wasn't on the list of valid forms of identification. Which would make things slightly better, because it's more likely that a person will at least have an ID card.
Despite the disgusting actions of Texas politicians, I believe the biggest injustice mentioned in this article is that the Supreme Court allowed SB14 to continue forward.
How can such a law possibly be constitutional, when it's literally denying people the right to vote?
I think that this article perfectly illustrates the systematic way in which minorities and low income citizens of America are exploited. This law is an obvious attempt to ensure that certain people can not partake in a right that they constitutionally have as American citizens. I do not see how the supreme court could allow such a law to be passed. This just proves once again that although we've come a long way as a country, we have an even further way to go.
ReplyDelete-Damarr Gordon
This article perfectly sums up how those in power manipulate the system to maintain power. Those who are in power could not even begin to understand the struggles of those who are poor face, and yet are responsible for supposedly representing their voice. This is a catch-22 law that did not take into account all those who would be affected, and ultimately denies several persons fundamental constitutional rights. I find it interesting as to why they would not allow for the current voter ID to be use to replace the new ID.
ReplyDeleteThis law is unjust and completely unnecessary, and as the article says, primarily serves to exclude minorities from being able to vote. It is nothing sort of absurd that Kennie, who was born in Texas, raised in Texas, lived in Texas all his life, is unable to vote because he cannot produce one of the types of ID required by the law. The law seems to be written purposefully to exclude minorities - white people would have the types of ID required by the law, but Blacks and Latinos are much less likely to have those. Even when Kennie tries to get approved by procuring electric bills and his birth certificate, he is turned down every single time. It doesn't look like it on the surface, but this law really is outright exclusion.
ReplyDelete- Brian Kang
This well written piece is sad in many ways. The fact that corrupt politicians are allowed to wage this kind of war against the poor and minorities, making it harder for people to participate in the democratic process in what is called the worlds oldest democracy, is amazing and the result is obvious, in the 2012 election only about half of the people in this country went to vote, compared to over 70 % in European countries. Another heartbreaking thing about this story is Eric’s heroic determination to participate in the democratic process, still believing that things will get better and doing his part, however insignificant it may seem, to achieve equality and improve the lives of the 99%, not least African Americans. I don’t see how anyone can read this text without getting upset. These kinds of laws are not just an attack on the poor, it is attack on the democracy itself. - Visar Berisha
ReplyDeleteThis is just not acceptable. Around 600,000 people are not being allowed there so called right to vote and yet in the past 10 years only 2 cases of identity fraud have occurred. It seems pretty clear the purpose for this change. This strict ID requirement is stopping minorities and college students from voting that would most likely vote democrat when compared to white older adults who by "chance" are not affected by the law. In the case of Kennie is spending money on transportation traveling back and forth to all the locations that the DPS office tell him to go and then paying for the documents but the DPS office is still not allowing him to vote. Kennie is no where near wealthy or even middle class but he is spending the little money he errands trying to do something that is his right.
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot of the previous comments that voter id laws are a threat to democracy, serving mainly to exclude voters who are likely to vote for the democrats (since voter fraud is next to non-existent). What makes this even more scary is that it seems to be a part of a larger trend in politics recently. More and more focus is spent on trying to win elections and criticizing the opponents than actually governing and serving the people. And now it seems that it has gone so far as to some politicians trying to rig the game by excluding certain groups from the democratic process. This should be front page news in every affected state, every day until all of those voter id laws have been repealed. - Malin Niklasson
ReplyDeleteI think that this law is unacceptable. The fact that there have only been TWO cases of voter fraud in the state of Texas, and they still choose to implement this law is a violation of every citizens right to vote. 600,000 people, most like Eric, are unable to vote because they do not have the means to produce 1 of the 6 acceptable forms of identification. This is a disgraceful act by the government of Texas, and I am hopeful that in the upcoming elections they do not use this system, as many important votes are not being accounted for.
ReplyDelete-Jeremy Levin
Any damn thing to keep the less fortunate voices unheard, especially since most decisions made lately in this country typically worsen their situations. This entire ordeal makes me angry, I remember hearing about this new law among other tricky laws made to keep minorities, especially, from being able to have a voice. It's enough that too many people believe voting is pointless, or even understand the importance of voting during the midterm elections, the fact that the ones that do are being hindered from being apart of the decision making in this country once every 4 years. I hope that people who are faced with this block, fight as hard as they can to get their voice back, because giving up is what is expected of them.
ReplyDeleteIt is disgusting that in the United States this type of voter restriction is allowed, and LEGISLATED. Republicans in these southern states mask these ultimately racist and classist voting laws as ways to combat electoral fraud, but we know all of that to be a farce because there have only been two cases in the past ten years that a voting fraud case has reached a conviction in the state of Texas.
ReplyDelete-Gregory Brown
I did not realize that there were so many voting restrictions placed on individuals in different states. I believe having such a law is very unjust, especially because there have been only two cases of voter fraud in the state of Texas in the past 10 years out of the20 million votes. This law is a way for the Republicans to quiet the vote of the minorities in the state Texas. In the article it stated, “The state of Texas is using tax dollars consciously to suppress their own voters.” This made me very uncomfortable that even after having gone through so many loops to be able to vote in the first place, individuals are still being prevented to vote in their state.
ReplyDeleteWhat saddens me about the stricter voter id laws is how much they reflect the small restrictions that occurred during the Jim Crow era to stop black Americans from voting. Similarly, voter id laws mainly stop black and latino Americans from being able to cast their vote, stifling a whole group's voice come election time. This only benefits the mainly white, Republican leadership of Texas, who claim to have put these laws in place to combat voter fraud, which has only had two reported cases in the past ten years. The laws instead oppress those that wish to vote that have a lower income status and don't posses the "correct" form of identification. The worst part of the article to me was when it discussed Kennie's attempts of retrieving an election identification certificate. He was rejected multiple times despite giving them multiple documents, demonstrating how clearly biased the system is.
ReplyDeleteWhat saddens me about the stricter voter id laws is how much they reflect the small restrictions that occurred during the Jim Crow era to stop black Americans from voting. Similarly, voter id laws mainly stop black and latino Americans from being able to cast their vote, stifling a whole group's voice come election time. This only benefits the mainly white, Republican leadership of Texas, who claim to have put these laws in place to combat voter fraud, which has only had two reported cases in the past ten years. The laws instead oppress those that wish to vote that have a lower income status and don't posses the "correct" form of identification. The worst part of the article to me was when it discussed Kennie's attempts of retrieving an election identification certificate. He was rejected multiple times despite giving them multiple documents, demonstrating how clearly biased the system is.
ReplyDeletei was sick to my stomach when i was reading this article. As leaders of free world we spend billions of dollars overseas trying to fix other countries problem and tell the world that we are spreading democracy but we cant even fix our issues. no citizen of this country should have to show their TV bill or any kind of bill to proof their are citizens. these individuals are paying taxes but the state is using that same tax dollars to suppress voters.
ReplyDeleteBeing a Maryland native and also a hispanic decedent I find this article very informative. Maryland has the largest population of Central American Immigrants and some of them might not be in the country legally. I understand that the country wants to make sure only US citizens vote because it is a right. But I find it very disturbing that they are making it difficult for people to do it. The majority of people who vote are mostly white older people. Minorities that are from the lower class might find it difficult to vote if the country is making it difficult for them to vote. This hurts the country because the United States is suppose to be a democratic country that should make it easy for its citizens to vote in order to really have a good democracy and not just have the people who are privilege to vote.
ReplyDeleteI understand everybody's skepticism about this law, especially because America has a rough history involving voter restriction laws. I'll play devil's advocate and say that even though some politicians might have such motives behind their decision to pass this law, voting is not the only practice that is affected by these strict standards of identification - I've been through the same strenuous process as Kenny at the MVA, airport, and so forth. Maybe they are trying to infringe upon the rights of minorities, but sometimes I feel like they are just following protocol.
ReplyDeleteI remember learning about voter registration laws in AP Government in high school, and thinking how interesting it was that politicians who were usually Republican vote to pass these laws, as a method of eliminating support for their more liberal counterpart. I'm still unsure of how I stand politically, but I know that it is unsettling to hear that a man who was born and raised in Texas had to jump through hurdles to prove it just because of his skin color. I cannot imagine being questioned of my right to vote because of my skin color, and I think laws definitely need to be changed to avoid such outright discrimination.
ReplyDeleteThis article is shocking because it shows that even if there is no intention to exclude people of low socio-economic status from voting, restrictive policy changes still naturally hurt them the most. It is so difficult to give everyone equal rights because that means money and power make the difference. On the other hand, there are endless ways to screw over the poor.
ReplyDeleteBefore reading this article, I never knew that voting laws were so harsh. I believe wholeheartedly that these laws are put in place to keep minorities from voting because they are the only ones who are affected. It is crazy that they kept giving this man the run around just for him to be able to vote. Also, out of the six forms of identification that has been approved, the average American citizen only has one. The government puts laws like this into place because they know they are outnumbered and they want to keep the power in their hands. It's disheartening that this is the land of the free and everyone is supposed to have the right to vote, but that does not always happen.
ReplyDeleteThe new law in Texas is what makes the Supreme Court Striking down parts of the 1965 Civil Rights Law dealing with voting so abominable. Its ridiculous that the United States makes it so difficult to vote when voting is considered a constitutional right. People in this country have fought for free and fair elections abroad and we can't even get them at home. Texan republicans know that the majority of their voter base is wealthier white people who would either have no problem acquiring any of these documents or would already have these documents so it would be no problem. They can easily keep their state a white republican state by not allowing minorities to vote and further minority issues. People saying voting is the way to create change but how are you supposed to create change when their are barriers inhibiting voting.
ReplyDeleteI did not realize that there were so many voting restrictions placed on individuals in different states. I believe having such a law is very unjust, especially because there have been only two cases of voter fraud in the state of Texas in the past 10 years out of the20 million votes. This law is a way for the Republicans to quiet the vote of the minorities in the state Texas. In the article it stated, “The state of Texas is using tax dollars consciously to suppress their own voters.” This made me very uncomfortable that even after having gone through so many loops to be able to vote in the first place, individuals are still being prevented to vote in their state.
ReplyDeleteI also think this law was made to prevent the minority citizens to vote. I mean Middle class citizens and other do have a problem paying for the picture ID or doing what is required by the law. But most of the minority people do. Why they have to pay for something that the state government will benefit from? Isn't any politician's dream that everyone votes? Perhaps there will be someone voting for them. But I think that with things happening in Texas in these last months, I can understand why they do not want minority to vote. I think its against the law to put a price on something that should be free. Either that one can afford it or not. Its like taking the votes of many. I am pretty sure many will not take the pic until last minute, when its too late to register to vote.
ReplyDeleteI think its very unfortunate that this man and many other are having their voting rights stripped from them because of such an unnecessary law. As mentioned in the article, there have only been 2 impersonation-related voting cases in the past 10 years. This sort of law seems completely unneeded and seems to only be stripping the voters of their rights, rather than protecting them. Of course impersonation should be in concern when regarding voting practices, but there should be a more efficient, fair way for those who cannot provide this photo-identification to still have their voting privileges.
ReplyDelete